Speakers

Andreas Haandlykken

CEO & Founder of Codeo Norway

Andreas is responsible for technology and business development in Codeo. Andreas has more than 35 years of experience from the IT-sector and has co-founded several IT-businesses, in addition to CODEO. The flagship product of Codeo is NOBS which is a combined EHR and ERP solution being used by the majority of ortophedic clinics in Norway. He is also a co founder and chairman of Tansa Systems. Tansa is a high-end text proofing system that uses sophisticated processing to ensure nearly error-free text.

Andrew Lecates

Director, Product Marketing & Evangelism

Alexis Allen

Based in Toronto, Canada, Alexis Allen is a certified FileMaker developer with over 25 years of experience. Known for her expertise in creating visually stunning and functional FileMaker apps, Alexis is the founder of FM Design University and the president of Hyperspace Data Solutions, Inc. She’s passionate about sharing her insights into interface design to empower others in enhancing user experiences.

Andrew Duncan

Andrew is the founder of Databuzz, a Claris Partner based out of Sydney, Australia. Andrew is a FileMaker integration expert and has been connecting FileMaker to other platforms for over 20 years. He specialises in connecting the Claris FileMaker Platform with platforms like Xero, DocuSign, QuickBooks Online, Shopify, Twilio and WooCommerce. His solutions are used by customers all around the world to automate their workflows and eliminate repetitive manual tasks, saving them time and money. Andrew is a Claris FileMaker Certified Developer and has been a presenter at Claris Engage events in the USA and APAC regions.

Charles Delfs

Charles Delfs, founder of Delfs’ Engineering and FM BetterForms, is an electrical engineer with a passion for software innovation. With decades of programming experience, he’s known for simplifying complex web technologies for FileMaker developers. Guided by the principle of the “elegant solution,” Charles created FM BetterForms to make web coding accessible to all. A seasoned presenter, he’s shared his expertise at numerous events and hosts the popular ‘Friday Live’ meetup group. Outside of work, Charles is a martial arts instructor and enjoys dirt bike riding with his son. At EngageU, he will present coding design patterns for FileMaker developers, aiming to bridge the gap between FileMaker and other technologies. Based in Toronto, Canada, Charles leads a team of twelve, continually pushing the boundaries of software development.

Chris Moyer

Chris Moyer was the Sales Engineer in Chicago for Claris Corporation from 1991 to 1994, and then founded the Moyer Group in 1995. Chris co-authored Claris’ FileMaker 3 training materials and then trained developer communities in multiple cities during the FileMaker 3 rollout. Chris went on the co-author three books on FileMaker, and was co-author of the Advisor Answers column in FileMaker Advisor magazine as well as a technical editor.

Chris is certified in FileMaker versions 7-19. The Moyer Group is a FileMaker Business Alliance Platinum member.

Christian Schmitz

Christian started developing a FileMaker Plugin in 2006 and made himself a name with Monkeybread Software as a reliable source for enhancements to FileMaker. For the last 16 years, he helped thousands of developers to improve their FileMaker projects and deliver better solutions to clients.

Claus Lavendt

Claus is the senior developer and founder of DataManix and has been a FileMaker developer since 1994. Through the years he has developed all types and sizes of systems, as well as integrated with a wide range of different systems and hardware. He has developed solutions for companies of all sizes, from small businesses to international enterprises with more than 120,000 employees. He also holds a degree in commercial photography.

Claus has hosted several sessions at developer conferences around the world, including FileMaker DevCon in the United States, and regional DevCons as well as many seminars, dotFMP, training sessions, and workshops.

Fact style

• Filemaker developer since 1994
• Certified Filemaker developer
• Senior developer at DataManix
• Has developed all types and sizes of systems, as well as integrated with a wide range of different systems and hardware
• Developed solutions for companies from one-man businesses to international enterprises with 120.000+ employees
• Holds a degree in commercial photo
• Hosted sessions at several FileMaker DevCon USA, regional DevCons in Europe and Canada, dotFMP as well as several seminars and workshops
• Has authored guides and tools for the FileMaker community
• At the forefront of integrating FileMaker with hardware and different systems
• Based in Denmark, Europe

David Loeb

EMEA Partner Manager at Apple  – Claris

David joined Claris in 2021 in Sales and transitioned to the partner team in early 2023. Before relocating to London to join Claris, he had experience as a business developer in finance and IT, and had been playing with Claris technology since FileMaker 12 and Bento 4.

David Wollesen

Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, David has been a FileMaker developer since 2012, founding protabase, a FileMaker consultancy, the same year. In 2019, he launched KARL.farm, an AI cloud platform for the farming industry. 

Graduating in Computer Science in 2021, his thesis “Developing a DevOps tool for FileMaker, using FileMaker” evolved into Devin, a DevOps platform for FileMaker facilitating easy version control, testing and deployment/data migration automation workflows. Having been in beta for multiple years, the first public version was released in March 2024.

Being an expert in both FileMaker, cloud architecture and serverless API development, he frequently speaks at FileMaker dev conferences and virtual meetups about development best practices. 

Outside of tech, he serves in the Danish National Guard. 

Learn more about Devin at devin.fm

Douglas Wallis

Product Manager at Claris

After graduating in French Law from Paris Université, Douglas moved back to London and worked there for 15 years as a “data guru” developing in-house and client custom apps using FileMaker and various other technologies.

He joined Claris in 2014 as a System Engineer and moved to the Product Management team in 2020 to help drive the company’s commitment to FileMaker and its tight integration with Claris Connect and Claris Studio.

Fabrice Nordmann

Fabrice Nordmann first used FileMaker Pro in 1995, while working as a film assistant director.
He founded 1-more-thing in 2010, which became the first company to become a Claris Platinum Partner in two countries (France & Belgium).
The hosting branch, fmcloud.fm, became a worldwide reference in 2020 as the first -and only- hosting service to run on Linux/Docker.

HOnza Koudelka

Co-founder and co-owner of 24U, developing FileMaker solutions since 1991. As soon as the External Function API was released with FileMaker Developer 4.0, HOnza started to expand the area of FileMaker Pro’s development and usage simplicity via plug-ins. Presently, being a FileMaker Certified Developer, FileMaker DevCon Developer Cup Champion and Claris Platinum Partner, he leads a team of FileMaker, web, plug-in, and app developers to provide high quality developer tools and custom development services, focusing a lot on performance optimizations and hardware integrations, delivering great custom apps which work on Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, web, and also special hardware, such as Raspberry Pi, Phidgets, Arduino, etc. Sometimes being called the “mad optimizer”, HOnza likes challenges and achieving things that seem impossible.

Ian Jempson

Ian Jempson brings 30 years of experience in consulting and implementing business solutions. A recognized expert in FileMaker AI integrations, Ian frequently speaks at conferences. He holds an MBA from Warwick Business School (WBS) and has furthered his education at WBS and Saïd Business School (Oxford). Ian is a Certified Scrum Master and holds Claris and AWS certifications, ensuring top-notch cloud-based AI solutions.

Javier Durá

As a certified FileMaker developer, trainer, and consultant at Afterdata, Javier brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for exploration to the world of database solutions.
Known for engaging video tutorials on the FileMaker platform, he also has a YouTube channel that boasts nearly 3000 subscribers, and a website, FileMakerMagazine.es, that offers premium video content for dedicated learners.
Javier has had the privilege of speaking at numerous FileMaker events worldwide, sharing his insights with the community.

Johan Hedman

A problem solver like everyone else in the Community. A frequent speaker at different Claris events. Certified Claris FileMaker developer. Have +20 years of solving customers’ problems with the Claris platform. Curious to learn new things and am always up for an adventure.

John Renfrew

John has been working with databases for all of his business life, initially to manage people, equipment, logistics and event planning. For the last 14 years he has worked extensively with FileMaker to solve problems for a wide range of small business customers, and has a product to submit VAT returns in the UK and specialist skills in Higher Education statistical reporting.

Jonathan Jeffery

Jon started working in IT as a sideways move from his job as a vertebrate paleontologist. He honed his FileMaker skills for eight years at the International School of Amsterdam before returning to the UK and settling with his family in Cheltenham. He gets stupidly excited by all sorts of science and technology and loves learning new things. Outside of his day job, Jon still works on fossil fish, specializing in the giant predatory rhizodonts. He also collects Roman silver coins and makes a mean pizza. Jon is a FileMaker 12 to 19 certified developer.

Joris Aarts

Joris has over 20 years of experience in IT, both as a trainer and a developer, despite having a degree in Ancient History. His first database was a FileMaker 2.1 collection of Greek papyrus fragments from the Ptolemaic era. He began his IT career as a software instructor in 1996, teaching FileMaker 3.0 and other technologies. “Working as a trainer has taught me the importance of the human factor in IT project success.” In 2005, he co-founded ClickWorks with his brother Jeroen. He frequently speaks at FileMaker conferences, including DevCon. Joris is a FileMaker 7 to 19 certified developer. In addition to computing, he enjoys sailing and playing the guitar.

Leslie Audigane

Leslie Audigane is a biologist specializing in Quality, Safety, and Environmental Management. She has a diverse professional background within the pharmaceutical industry and research laboratories. During her time in these roles, she began working with FileMaker and developed database systems for laboratory management. Since 2019, Leslie has worked full-time with FileMaker as a Project Manager at 1-more-thing. She oversees application development for clients, including managing testing processes, and contributes to the development of various projects.

Marcel Moré

Marcel Moré is a freelance developer and information designer with 36 years of experience. As a project architect and consultant his areas of expertise include the cross-system optimization of processes and user interfaces. He develops customized business solutions for customers in industry, trade, and marketing. FileMaker was part of his toolbox early on and eventually became his main development platform. In addition to FileMaker, other technologies and development environments are also used in his projects.

Marcel is co-host of a monthly FileMaker user group in Germany and is a regular speaker and author on FileMaker topics.

Marcelo Piñeyro

Marcelo is a Technical Solutions Architect with Soliant Consulting who has been doing FileMaker development since 2004. An Agronomist and Animal Scientist by training, when not coding or rebuilding his house, he enjoys playing tennis, going on bike touring trips, and sailing.

Mark Allen

Mark first started working with FileMaker applications in 1999 and is fully accredited from FileMaker 11 to the most recent incarnation of FileMaker’s certification programme.

Mark has worked at Claris Platinum Partner We Know Data for nearly a decade – initially as a senior developer, but now as Head of Technical Partnerships, where he works closely with clients to help identify the challenges of their business and propose technical solutions to resolve them, using a range of different technologies. He regularly runs strategic workshops and roadmap planning sessions, as well as writing proposals for projects that can be delivered
using the extensive the talents of We Know Data’s delivery team, in collaboration with our growing band of associate developers.

Away from the world of FileMaker, Mark previously spent a decade performing stand up comedy on the UK circuit. Since all three of his children were diagnosed as autistic/ADHD, he hosts a podcast called “Neuroshambles”, about the lighter side of parenting neurodivergent children.

Matt Navarre

Matt is a Claris platform evangelist, trainer, and database developer. In 1989, he founded AppWorks which created hundreds of databases for clients in many industries. In 2021 AppWorks merged with Direct Impact Solutions.

Matt was the original developer of Orpheus, a public health platform with thousands of users. This application played a key role in Oregon’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He is certified on all versions of FileMaker from 7 to the present, has two FileMaker Excellence Awards, hosts FileMaker podcasts, and runs Meetup groups.

Matt’s current passion is training. With 35+ years of FileMaker experience, he feels a strong desire to pass on the lessons he has learned. In his spare time, he composes music for choir and orchestra.

Nicolás Franco

A physicist by profession, I started working with FileMaker in a lab while I was a professor at UC Bekeley. When I returned to Spain, almost 25 years ago, I co-founded the company mrHouston, dedicated to technology, and a little later we separated the work on FileMaker in a new company called bitwOk. Although bitwOk is specialized in FileMaker development, we are capable of mixing technologies and knowledge from many areas.

The mrHouston group has more than 50 workers who support bitwOk in areas such as infrastructure, artificial intelligence, or cybersecurity.

In my case and during the last years, my experience in AI and FileMaker has allowed me to mix effective algorithms for natural language processing, the treatment of unstructured data, and its correlation with financial models with advanced management systems.

Currently, I am also a professor at the Polytechnic University of Madrid.

Osman Cabi

Osman, a tech enthusiast from Turkey, began his journey as a child in the early 90s, playfully exploring software like Claris Works, HyperCard, FileMaker, and Macromedia Apps through his family’s business. After studying industrial engineering, he built a career at Cabitaş Mühendislik, creating FileMaker solutions for diverse business challenges.
Recently certified as a DDX Digital Transformation Consultant, Osman combines this knowledge with his FileMaker expertise to drive digital transformation. He’s also committed to promoting FileMaker in Turkey through training and events, helping businesses embrace efficient digital solutions.

Philipp A. Puls

Philipp A. Puls is the managing partner and co-founder of 72solutions GmbH, a consulting and software development company in Vienna, Austria. He serves as the Managing Director/CTO since July 2013. Before founding 72solutions, Philipp was the founder and owner of RADIX Group GmbH, where he led Market Research from 2002 to 2011.

He has an academic background in theoretical physics from the University of Vienna and the University of Edinburgh.

72solutions GmbH is an owner-operated consulting and development company offering customized software solutions, specializing in CRM, logistics, and HR management. The company is a Platinum Partner with Claris FileMaker and an “SBA” partner with its solutions «base72 Toolbox» and «onexio».

Philipp began his FileMaker career in 1992 with version 2.1 and has been a Certified Developer since 2015, starting with FileMaker 13.

Rob Speakman

Rob holds a degree in computer science and has been working in the FileMaker community since 2006. He gained valuable experience with two FileMaker Platinum Partners, one more design-focused and the other commercially driven. This blend of experiences shaped his approach to problem-solving and innovation.

In 2012, Rob took a leap of faith and founded We Know Data, where he quickly learned the challenges of running a business. Despite a tough first five years, his determination and adaptability helped him build an outstanding team.

In 2020, Rob’s team successfully navigated a major business model shift, enabling significant growth. Today, We Know Data is a leading Claris partner in the UK and Europe. Rob strongly believes that the success of his company is rooted in collaboration with other partners, not in competition with them. This ethos has helped establish a strong network within the industry.

Rob’s industry leadership was recognized in 2023 when he was invited to join the reformed Claris Partner Council. Outside of work, Rob is a family man with a wife and three children. He ran the London Marathon this year to support Bone Cancer Research UK.

Russell Watson

Russell, or (Herr) MrWatson, as he is known to most of the FileMaker Community, is half Brit / half German, has spent half his life as a FileMaker developer (since FM2), and is half astronomer / clown / teacher. He lives in Arnsberg, Germany with his wife and three children, has lived in Germany since 2000 and been working for Claris Platinum Partner Günther Business Solutions GmbH for more than a decade.
He is known for his plentiful FileMaker tools that he develops alongside his work, and for the regular presentations at various European FileMaker Conferences, … oh yes, and for always asking questions at conferences. This will be no exception! 😀

Sara Severson

Sara Severson is a Business Solutions Architect at Soliant Consulting, and has been developing in FileMaker for 20 years. She lives in the wilds of central Washington state with her husband, three kids, and organic “hobby” orchard. (When her eyes get blurry with code, she takes a farming break.)

Vincenzo Menanno

Over 25 years of full-time experience as a master consultant, as well as a dedicated creator of products for the Claris developer community, Vince is widely considered one of the leading FileMaker developers in the world. He’s been a featured speaker at industry events such as Claris Engage (formerly FileMaker DevCon), FM Conférence, CQDF, and many Claris Developer Meetups. Vince is the author of InspectorPro, a leading development tool that provides in-depth solution analysis and advanced data visualizations.

Wesley Powell

Wes Powell is a director of engineering at Claris and has been with the company for 16 years. His Claris career began during the development of FileMaker 10, and he has contributed to the development of all Claris products since then.